Change of name - Marriage

If you wish to change your name on your passport when you marry, you must provide a marriage certificate issued by an Australian state or territory Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM).

You may be entitled to a replacement passport free of charge when applying for a name change, provided you have more than two years validity remaining on your passport (a priority processing fee may still apply if you require your passport urgently).

The replacement passport will be issued with the same expiry date as the passport being replaced.

Married in Australia

Marriage certificates issued by religious leaders or marriage celebrants in Australia are NOT acceptable for change of name but may be used to link previous name changes. You must register your marriage with an Australian RBDM in the state or territory where the marriage occurred and provide this RBDM certificate with your application. Marriage certificates that have been issued by an RBDM are acceptable as proof for changing your given and family name.

Married overseas

Born in Australia

If you were married overseas, an RBDM change of name certificate should be obtained in order to change your name. If your foreign marriage certificate is not in English, then an English translation from an approved translating service will be required. Click here for more information

Note – you can still travel on a valid passport in your previous name. If you choose to do so, we recommend that you obtain your tickets also in your previous name.

Born overseas and residing in Australia

If you were married overseas, subject to Australian state and territory minimum residency requirements, you should obtain an RBDM change of name certificate. Otherwise, you may be able to use your foreign marriage certificate provided it is legalised (apostilled or authenticated) by the issuing government in a form that meets our requirements and it was issued after you obtained Australian citizenship.

Born overseas and residing overseas

If you were married overseas, born overseas, and normally reside overseas, a marriage certificate issued by a foreign authority may be used to change your name if it is not possible for you to obtain an RBDM change of name certificate. This certificate must be legalised (apostilled or authenticated) by the issuing government in a form that meets our requirements and it must have been issued after you gained Australian citizenship.

You should also seek further advice from your nearest Australian diplomatic mission or consulate before lodging your application as other evidence or documentation may be required to accept the name change.

If your foreign marriage certificate is not in English, then an English translation from an approved translating service will be required. Click here for more information

What changes can I make to my family name following marriage?

The bride or the groom may choose one of the following family name options in a passport due to marriage:

retain your existing family name; or

adopt your spouse’s family name; or

adopt a combination of your family name and your spouse’s family name with or without hyphens.

For example if Lisa Smith marries Tom Jones her name after marriage could be;